Knock-down display device



N. J. LEIGH KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY DEVICE I sept. 22,- 1936.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 31, 1936 INVENTOR, Nathmvlos eph Leqlu BY W Sept. 22, 1936. N, J, LE|GH 2,055,201,

KNOGK-DOWN DISPLAY DEVICE INVENTOR,

` A ORNEY.

Patented Sept. 22, 1936 PATENT OFFICE KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY DEVICE' Nathan Joseph Leigh, Great Neck, N. Y., assignor to Einson-Freeman Co., Inc.,

Long Island City,

N. Y., a corporation vol? Delaware vApplication'March 31, 1936, Serial No. l71,886

Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display signs, and has particular reference to la knockdown display device.

An o'bject of the invention is to provide an improved advertising display device composed solely, of cardboard or its equivalents, the structure being of a character which permits the device to be inexpensively manufactured from at cardboard stock, and to be conveniently set up into display condition.

One of the features of my present device resides in its improved rigidity and staunchness, and in the ability to simulate a three-dimensional display of considerable thickness and .Weight, notwithstanding the fact that the device is actually composed only of sheet cardboard or the like. ,f

The present improved device consists essentially of a front panel, in association with trapezoidal border panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to ldefine a beveled border for the device as a whole. A feature of the invention lies in the fact that means are provided in concealed position behind the beveled border for releasably interlocking and bracing the trapezoidal panels in set-up condition. Preferably, the bracing means consists of interengageable naps hinged to the outer edges of the trapezoidal panels, whereby the front panel, the trapezoidal panels, and the attachment flaps may al1 consist of integral parts of a single cardboard blank.

The present device lends itself admirably to an advertising display of silhouette type. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the front panel has predetermined portions cut out to `define a silhouette depiction, and a concave reector is mounted behind the depiction to serve as a background therefor, the reflector consisting of a blank of flexed cardboard whose exposed surface is composed of colored vmetallic foil;

.The combination of the concave background for the silhouette display, with the beveledA border, produces a highly desirable effect of taken substantially along the line 2-2 vof Figure 1; v

(Cl. l0-126) Figure 3 is a rear view of the device in co1- lapsed condition;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear view showing one manner in which the attachment aps may be caused to interengage; f

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear view of a portion of the prop for the device;

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a slightly modified construction;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary pian view of the 10 corner of the blank of which the device of Figure 6 is composed; f

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, showing. the device in partly set-up condition;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken sub- 15 stantially along the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the device in fully set-up condition; and

IFigure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I I-I I of Figure 10. 2o

Referring to Figures 1 5, a front panel I0 has predetermined portions cut out to define a desired silhouette depiction II. The reference numerals I2 are applied to certain edges of the cut-out portions, and it will be observed that 25 three of these edges define the major portion of a substantially rectangular aperture. The effectiveness of the depiction is enhanced by printing lines I3 on the front panel, these lines forming continuations of certain of the edges I2 so as to create the effect of a substantially rectangular aperture with the depiction II behind it.

Desiredy advertising indicia, such as indicated Aby the reference numeral I4, and other ornamentations or the like are also printed or lithographed on the front face of the front panel Ill.

Hinged to the edges I5 of the front panel 'are trapezoldal panels I6', the end edges of-which are all of equal lengths. This permits the panels I6 to be folded rearwardly, as indicated in Figures 40 1 and 2, so that the end edges arrange themselves in registering relation, whereby the panels I6 conjointly denne a beveled frame or border `for the device. iy

One way of securing the device' in set-up con- 45 dition is illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 4. Flaps I8'are hinged to the outer edges I9 of the panels I6. At their opposite e ds the flaps I8 are provided lwith hooked portie s 20 andvZl, or with any equivalent interengageable means, so that each end of each ap I8 may be releasabiy interlocked or interengagedwith the adjacent end of. the adjacent flap, as shown most clearly in Figure 4.

yWhen the flaps I8 are all interengaged, they are disposed in a substantially single plane parallel 55 most clearly in Figure 2. In this way they serve as an efficient brace for vthe entire device and serve the dual function of interlocking the trapezoidal panels IS in set-up condition, and also bracing the structure.

Y As will be observed yfrom Figure 3, the front panel i0, the trapezoidal panels i6, and the flaps i8 may form parts of a single blank of cardboard or the like. This results in great economy of manufacture and permits the device to be stacked and shipped in substantially flat condition. At the same time, it may be set up with considerable ease by merely bending the panels I6 rearwardly, and bending the attachment flaps 18 rearwardly and into theinterengaged relationship shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4.- Preferably, though not necessarily, the panels i6 are colored in a distinguishing way so that they form an ornamental beveled border for the structure, imparting to it an eect of depth and staunchness which only a structure of much more rigid and substantial material would otherwise produce.

While, from/certain aspects, the device is useful without any silhouetteA depiction in the front panel, the beveled border is admirably suited to cooperate with an advertising display of the character illustrated, whereby a concave reflector is positioned behind the silhouette depiction to serve as a background therefor.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings, it will be observed that a blank vof exed cardboard\22, whose exposed or front surface is composed of colored metallic foil, is hingedly secured, as at 23,- to the rear surface ofthe panel it. The opposite edge of the blank 22 is braced in position by engagementbeneat an abutment 2d. The latter consists of a; blankY of cardboard adhesively secured to the rear of the panel lll, with one portion free of attachment and hence adapted to serve as an abutment, as shown in Figure 2,

In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 22 is flexed into conformity with a cylindrical surface, and the opposite edges of the blank, at 23 and at 24, are held in engagement with the panel lil adjacent to opposite lateral edges of the depiction I i,

l. e., adjacent to opposite lateral edges i2 of the substantially rectangular aperture shown. When the device is shipped or stacked, the free edge of the blank 22 is released from beneath the abutment 24 and may then lie perfectly flat against the back of the panel i8. When the device is set up, thisr'free edge is merely fitted beneath the abutment 23, and this serves not only to flex the blank 22 but also to hold it in such relationship.

The construction is completed by the provision of one or more props, and I have illustratively shown a blank of cardboard'25 which is cut out, as at 26, to provide a brace 21. The blank 25.has a portion 28 which is adhesively secured to the back of the panel l, and the free portion 29 may then be folded down fiat, as shown in Figure 3, or it may'be bent at right angles, as shown in Figure 5, when'the device is set up. Similarly, the brace 21 ts into the position shown in Figure 5 when the device is set up, or it may be folded up into the plane of the portion 28 when the device is collapsed.

Obviously, the invention is not restricted to any particulardepiction nor to the provision of an aperture in the panel lli. The latter may, f or example, be unapertured and whole; and where cut-outs, are desired, they m'ay,

obviously, assume. any. desired form; depending upon requirements.

Similarly, while I have shown the device as a whole as being of substantially rectangular form, it will be understood that a triangular or other polygonal contour may be provided for, depending upon the uses to which the device is to be put and the display effect which is desired.

In Figures 6-11, I have illustrated a modified construction in which the front panel 33 is unapertured and in which the bracing flaps 3i and 32 are interengaged in a different manner. The device is preferably formed of a single blank of cardboard or the like shaped and cut to define the front panel 3l), the trapezoidal panels 33, and the bracing flaps 3l and 32. I have also shown the manner in which a prop 34 may be integrally.

device, this prop being connected along the hinge line 35 to the outer edge of one of the flaps 32. A prop brace 36 is provided, and this brace may be the same as the brace 21 illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

The means for interengaging the bracing flaps 3i and 32 is illustrated most clearly in Figures '7-11. y At each end of each flap 32 I provide a slot 31, and at each end of each flap 3l I provide a tab adapted to cooperate with the slot 31. The tab has a body portion 38 and a lateral latchthe line lill. .After the blank has been cut out and scored, as indicated in Figure 7, the lateral portion' 33 of the tab is folded along the line l0 into superposed relation to the body portion 38. The aps 3i and 32 are-then bent rearwardly so that they lie in a plane substantially parallel to the front panel 30. The tab is then inserted into the slot 31, as shown in Figure 8, and it is to be noted that the tab is purposely made sufficiently long so that it may engage with the slot 31 even while the device is in the substantially fiat condition of Figures 8 and 9. In this condition, it will be noted, the trapezoidal panels 33 lie substantially in the plane of the front panel ing portion 39 hinged to the body portion along automaticallyl interengages each flap with the' adjacent ap, thereby rmly retaining the de-v vice in fully set-up condition.

The reason why the portion 39 of the tab automatically spreads, as described in the precedthat the cardboard lmaterial ing paragraph, is has a certain inherent resilience, whereby the portion 39 yieldably resists the action of the slot 31 in Figure 8 in holding the portions 38 and 39 insuperposed relation. Accordingly, as soon as the portion 39 is free to move, as it is when the tab is pushed into the slot to its fullest extent, it springs or spreads away from the portion 3 8, as hereinbefore described.

The interengaging hooks 2li and 2| of the embodiment of Figures l-5 are well adapted for use where the cardboard stock is relatively heavy. Where the cardboard stock is relatively thin, such as the material known in the trade as "30- point, the construction of Figures 6-11 is not only preferable, but highly advantageous.

One` of the outstanding advantages of the present construction lies in its rigidity. For examplefa panel of the 30point stock, having a size approximately fourteen inches by twenty inches, is not particularly rigid and is quite flexible. The same panel, however, when provided with the trapezoidal border panels, as shown in Figures 6-11, and with the bracing iiaps 3| and 32 (all composed of the same integral blank), assumes an unusual amount of rigidity, so that the finished structure constitutes a highly presentable and attractive display device of remarkable stiffness. f

In general, it will be understood that changes inthe details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explainingthe nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.Y

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel; trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to define a beveled border for the device, and means concealed behind said beveled border for releasabiy interlocking and bracing said trapezoidal panels in set-up condition.

2. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel, the end 'edges of said trapezoidal panels being oi' equal lengths. whereby said panels are adapted todefine a continuous beveled border i'or the device,

and means concealed behind said beveled border for releasably interlocking and bracing said trapezoidal panels in set-up condition.

3. A cardboard knockdown display device `comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels device. and interengageable flaps hinged to the outer edges of said trapezoidal panels for retaining and bracing the"latter in set-up condition; said front and trapezoidal panels and said flaps being integral portions of a single blank adapted to be collapsed into a single plane.

5. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel certain portions of which are cut out to-dene a silhouette depiction, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to dene a beveled border for the device, means concealed behind said beveled border for releasabiy interlocking and bracing said trapezoidal panels in set-up condition, and a concavareilector mounted on the rear of the front panel to serve as a background for said depiction.

6. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel certain portions of which are cut out to define a silhouette depiction, trapezoidalrpanels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to denne a beveled border for releasabiy interlocking and bracing said trapezoidal panels in set-up condition, and

a concave reector mounted on the rear of the Vsaid beveled border for releasably interlocking and bracing said trapezoidal panels in set-up condition, and a concave reflector mounted on the rear of the front panel to serve as a background for `said depiction, said eector comprising a blank of cardboard having its exposed surface composed of colored metallic foil. said blank being exed into conformity with a cylindrical surface, 20

one edge of said blank being hingedly secured to the front panel, and an abutment carried by the front panel for releasably bracing the opposite edge of said blank.

8. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to define a beveled border for the device.

and means concealed behind said beveled border for releasabiy interlocking and bracing said trapezoidal panels in set-up condition, said means comprising naps hinged' to the outer edges of said trapezoidal panels and adapted to be folded into a plane substantially parallel to the front panel, and means at the opposite ends of each ap for permitting releasable engagement of each end with the adjacent end of the adjacent ap. 9. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to define a beveled border for the device, bracing aps hinged to the outer edges of said trapezoidal panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a plane substantially parallel to the front panel, and means for releasabiy engaging each ap end with the adjacent end of the adjacent flap.

- 10. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to define a beveled border for the device, bracing flaps hinged tothe outer edges of said trapezoidal panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a planesubstantially parallel to the front panel, and a prop for the device hinged to the outer edge of one of said flaps. Y

11. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to denne a beveled border for the device. bracing fiapshinged to the outer edges of said trapezoidal panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a plane substantially parallel to the front panel, and a prop for the device hinged to the outer edge of one of said flaps; said front panel, trapezoidal panels. bracing naps, and prop forming integral parts of a single cardboard blank.

l2. A cardboard knockdown display device com'- prising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to denne a beveled border for the device. bracing apshinged to the outer edges oi' said trapezoidal panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a plane substantially parallel to the front panel, and means for releasabiy engaging each ap end with the adjacent end of the adjacent ap, said means comprising a slot in one iiap end and a tab on the adjacent flap end `insertable into said slot, and means for automatiy prising a. front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to define a beveled border for the device, bracing aps hinged to'the outer ,'edges' of said trapezoidal panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a plane substantially parallel to the front panel, and means for releasably engaging each flap end with the adjacent end of the adjacent flap, said means comprising a slot in one flap end and a tab on the adjacent ap end insertable into said slot, said tab being long enough to remain within said slot when the device is collapsedv into a substantially at ondition with the tra-pezoidal panels arranged the plane of the front panel.

14. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted conjointly to define a beveled border for the device, bracing flaps hinged to theouter edges of said trapezoidal panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a plane substantially parallel to' the front panel and means `for releasably engaging each flap end with the adjacent end of the adjacent flap, said means comprising a slot in one flap end and a tab on the adjacent ap end insertable into said slot, said tab having a spreadable portion adapted automatically to spread when the tab is pushed into the slot to its fullest extent, thereby latching the tab in the slot.

15. A cardboard knockdown display device comprising a front panel, trapezoidal panels hinged to the edges of the front panel and adapted con- Jointly to define a beveled border for the device,

' bracing flaps hinged to the outer edges of said trapezoidalv panels and arranged behind said beveled border in a plane substantially parallel to the front panel, and means for releasably engaging each 'ap end with the adjacent end of the adjacent flap, said means comprising a slot in one flap end and a tab on the adjacent flap. 

